A09365:236
The Whole Treatise of the Cases of Conscience
The whole treatise of the cases of conscience distinguished into three books: the first whereof is revised and corrected in sundry places, and the other two annexed. Taught and delivered by M. W. Perkins in his holy-day lectures, carefully examined by his own briefs, and now published together for the common good, by T. Pickering Bachelor of Divinity. Whereunto is adjoined a twofold table: one of the heads and number of the questions propounded and resolved; another of the principal texts of Scripture which are either explained, or vindicated from corrupt interpretation.The whole treatise of the cases of conscience distinguished into three bookes: the first whereof is revised and corrected in sundrie places, and the other two annexed. Taught and deliuered by M. W. Perkins in his holy-day lectures, carefully examined by his owne briefes, and now published together for the common good, by T. Pickering Bachelour of Diuinitie. Whereunto is adioyned a twofold table: one of the heads and number of the questions propounded and resolued; another of the principall texts of Scripture vvhich are either explaned, or vindicated from corrupt interpretation.
Cambridge: printed by John Legat, 1606Cambridge: printed by Iohn Legat, 1606
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
The first Ground of grace is this: A desire to repent, and believe, in a touched heart and conscience, is faith and repentance it self, though not in nature, yet in Gods acceptation. I prove it thus. It is a principle granted and confessed of all men; that in them which have grace, God accepteth the will for the deed. If there be a willing mind (saith the Apostle) it is accepted not according to that a man hath 1not, but according to that he hath. Again, God hath annexed a promise of blessedness, and life everlasting to the true and unfeigned desire of grace. Whence it is, that they are in Scripture pronounced blessed, which hunger and thirst after righteousness. And who are they 2but such, as feel themselves to want all righteousness, and do truly and earnestly desire it in their hearts. For hunger and thirst ⟨p. 98⟩argues both a want of something, and a feeling of the want. And to this purpose the holy Ghost saith, To him that is a thirst will I give to drink of the water of life freely. Now this 3thirsty soul, is that man, which feels himself destitute of all grace, and Gods favour in Christ, and withal doth thirst after the blood of Christ, and desires to be made partaker thereof. God is wont mercifully to accept of the desire of any good thing, when a man is in necessity, and stands in want thereof. The Lord (says David) hears the desire of 4the poor, that is, of them that are in distress, either of body or mind. Yea, he will fulfil the desire of them that fear him.
The first Ground of grace is this: A desire to repent, and beleeue, in a touched heart and conscience, is faith and repentance it selfe, though not in nature, yet in Gods acceptation. I prooue it thus. It is a principle graunted and confessed of all men; that in them which haue grace, God accepteth the will for the deede. If there bee a willing minde (saith the Apostle) it is accepted not according to that a man hath 1